Fireproof garment



fiepto i 1923.

E. A. MEEKS FIREPROOF GARMENT Filed Mafch s;

1922 2 Sheets-Sheet l glvmmnh z EA.Meeiw Sept. 4, 1923.

E. A. MEEKS FIREPROOF GARMENT Filed March 8. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l 1,l/l/I/ Snow x fox ETALMeeZw Patented Sept. 4, 1923.

EARL MEEKS, OI GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FLORIDA.

FIREPROOF GARMENT.

Application filed March a, 1922'. Serial No. 542,038.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. Faun. Mnnks. a citizen of the United States,residing at -Green Cove Springs, in the county of I rest on theshoulders .of the wearer to supa garment port the weight of the suit andpermit free movement of the wearer within the garment. The frame isprovided with a window of suitable material to permit the wearer of thegarment to see what he is doing. A suitable pocket is provided for thereception of an oxygen tank whereby the interior of the garment may besupplied with oxygen at the will of the wearer and a relief valve isprovided to permit discharge of exhausted gases from the interior of thegarment.

Bymeans of the construction described is provided which will withstandintense heat and flame andis useful in effecting rescues fromburningbuildings and similar places.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown one embodiment of theinvention. In this showing,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the garment,

Figure 2 is a side elevation, parts being shown in section,

Figure 3 is a detail View of a portion of the garment showing the reliefvalve,

Figure 4 is a detail view of a portion of the garment showing theclosure means,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the frame,

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view showing the oxy en tank, and fFigure 7 1s a detail view of the window.

Referringto the drawings the reference numeral 1 designates generallythe body portion of a garment which is formed of asbestos or otherfireproof material. The garment is provided with legs 2, arms 3 and ahood or head covering 4. The hood is adapted to be retained spaced fromthe head of the wearer as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. by means ofa frame formed of suitable rigid material. As shown the frame consistsof a pair of supporting members 5 adapted to rest upon the shoulders ofthe wearer and provided with eyes 6 at their lower ends. A strap 7 ispassed through these openings and extends around the body of the wearerbeneath the arms. The supporting members are adapted to support asubstantially semi-spherical member 8. This member comprises a pluralityof circular rings 9 arranged substantially horizontallyand semi-circularrings 10 arranged vertically. Suitable braces 11 are arranged betweenthe lower horizontal ring and the supporting member 5. As shown inFigure 2 of the drawings the supporting frame retains the hood slightlyspaced from the body of the wearer providing a space for air oroxygenand also permitting free movement of the wearer within thegarment.

The garment is provided with a side opening 12 having-a plurality ofhooks or eyelets 13 arranged on each side and adapted to receive alacing 14 which may be formed of suitable fire resisting material. Thehood is provided with an opening adapted to be closed by a window 15formed of suitable transparent fire resisting material and arranged inalinement with the eyes of the wearer. This window may be hinged to oneof the rings 9 as at 16.

Means are provided for supplying fresh air or oxygen to the wearer ofthe garment. As shown the garment is provided with a pocket 17 adaptedto receive an oxygen tank 18. This tank is provided with an outlet 19arranged on the inner side of the garment and a rotatable valve 20.isadapted to control the outlet. vided with a transverse port 21 and isfurther provided with a handle 22 on the outside of the garment.

A relief valve is arranged in the hood to permit of discharge ofexhausted gases. As shown the hood is provided with opening 32 normallyclosed by a disc 24 arranged on the inside of. the garment. This disc isprovided with a stem 25 extending through the garment having a cap 26arran ed on the outer end and normally space from the garment.

The garment is put' on by removing the lacing 1 1 and is then laced upby some one other than the wearer. The provision of The valve is pro-'lUU the supportin frame takes the weight of the garment 0% the wearer,permitting freedom of movement and enables the wearer of the garment toproceed in an ordinary manner. By the use of suitable fire-resistingmaterial such as asbestos, and providing a garment which completelycovers the wearer, the wearer may enter burning buildings'and othersimilar places without danger and may thus efi'ect rescues that wouldotherwise be impossible. When the supply of air within the garmentbecomes exhausted additional oxygen may be provided by opening the valve20. The disc valve 24; may be similarly opened to discharge theexhausted gases.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as apreferred example of the same, and thatvarious changes in the shape,

size, and arrangement of parts may be reb sorted to without departingfrom the spirit of the invention or the scope of the suboined claims.

Having described my invention, I claim: 1. In a fireproof garment, apair of curved supporting members adapted to rest upon the shoulders ofthe wearer, the lower ends of said supportingmembersbeing proaeepae Ivided with openings for the reception of a flexible fastening membersurrounding the body of the wearer, a substantially rigid frame mountedon said supporting members, sald frame being adapted to surround thehead of a wearer and be spaced therefrom and a garment of fireproofmaterial, said garment consisting of a body covering, and an intergralhood resting on said frame to support it.

2 111 a fireproof garment, a pair of supporting members adapted to restupon the shoulders of a wearer, a substantially hemispherical frameformed of strips of wire and secured to said supporting members, saidframe being adapted to surround the head of a wearer and spacedtherefrom, a fireproof hood adapted to rest on said frame, and afireproof body covering formed in tegrally with said hood and supportedthere- In testimony whereof I afiix my signature 1n presence of twowitnesses.

EARL A. MEEKS.

Witnesses:

A. H. BELL, S. A. BELL.

